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Our Wessex family of schools

SATS Annual Assessments (Year 6)

Pupils are required to sit SATS tests towards the end of Year 6 (at the end of Key Stage 2). These tests are used to assess the attainment of the pupils before moving into secondary education (Key Stage 3) at the start of year 7. In other school systems (such as the traditional 2 tier system of primary and secondary schools), pupils will sit these tests in their last year of primary school before moving into Year 7 at a different secondary school. In the middle school system, pupils sit these tests at the mid-point of their journey through the school. This gives the school the advantage of having the pupils for two more years after the tests and, already knowing the pupils well, are better placed to address any areas in need of improvement.

Pupils sit tests in the following subjects:

  • Reading
  • Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
  • Maths (Arithmetic and Mathematical Reasoning)

In addition, pupils will also be teacher assessed on their ability in writing (with these judgements being compared against those of other schools by Year 6 SATS moderators). Pupils may also be required to sit a Science test paper which is completed in a sample of schools nationally each year to track the standard of science education across the country).

The tests are normally administered during the week beginning the 2nd Monday in May.  The test schedule will follow a similar format to the example below:

Tests

Grammar & Punctuation test - 45 minutes

Spelling Test - 20 minutes

English Reading Test - 60 Minutes

Mathematics Paper 1: Arithmetic - 30 Minutes

Mathematics Paper 2: Reasoning - 40 Minutes

Mathematics Paper 3: Reasoning - 40 Minutes

Most pupils will sit the tests in the classrooms normally used each day for their learning. Some children will be split into smaller groups in line with normal classroom practice. This is done so that the pupils are comfortable and familiar with their surroundings and so that they can be spaced out appropriately.

Each room will have enough staff to ensure the correct administration of the test and the staff involved will have been given training on test format and style, their role and what they may or may not read to a pupil in a particular test including any subject specific issues that might occur. During the Reading test, no part of the test may be read to a student.

Should you have any further questions of concerns over the tests, please contact Mrs Doak (Year 6 Leader) through the school office.

The headline results from the 2025 tests are shown below:

 

  National Average 2024-25 St Mary’s 2024-25
Combined (Reading, writing and Maths)    
Expected 62% 61%
Greater Depth 8% 11%
Reading    
Expected 75% 72%
Greater Depth 33% 37%
Average Scaled Score   105
GPS (Grammar, punctuation and spelling)    
Expected 73% 75%
Greater Depth 30% 33%
Average Scaled Score   106
Writing    
Expected 72% 72%
Greater Depth 13% 18%
Average Scaled Score   102
Maths    
Expected 74% 69%
Greater Depth 26% 24%
Average Scaled Score   104
Science    
Expected 82% 79%